66--CONFOCAL

The VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System plans to negotiate a sole source contract with Nikon Instruments Inc. for the purchase of a Confocal Microscope and related accessories, a highly specialized instrument intended specifically for VA research purposes. This procurement is being conducted under the authority of FAR 6.302-1, which allows for non-competitive negotiations when only one source is available. The notice explicitly states that it is not an invitation for competitive bids, but interested parties may submit their interest and supporting documentation by the close of business on July 28, 2010, to the designated contracting officer via email or fax, with no phone submissions accepted. The contract opportunity is identified under solicitation number VA24410RQ0317 and falls within the NAICS Code 333314. The contracting office handling the matter is part of the Department of Veterans Affairs, specifically the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The final decision on whether to proceed with a competitive procurement based on any responses received is at the sole discretion of the contracting officer. The primary point of contact for this procurement is Contract Specialist Jesse Rumbel, whose contact details have been provided for submission of interested parties’ information.